Old Boltonians 'B' 3 Tyldesley Utd Reserves 0
Johnson (32)
Jordan (41)
O.G. (63)
Given that the ‘B" team’s last outing at Fortress Chapeltown saw the lads scoring nine goals, a zealous crowd gathered for the visit of Tyldesley. Even Rosie was spotted in the South Stand, allegedly munching on enough McDonalds Burgers to put Don Gorske to shame. Although it is true (City fans take note), ‘no trophies are handed out in November’, the ‘B’ team are entering an important run of games against Thornleigh (2nd place) and Wyresdale (3rd place) where form and confidence will be crucial. Momentum is important in football and Bolts are the in form team in league. With this in mind, the manager selected a full 15 players for this game and changed to an attacking 4-4-2. Bolts where instructed to get at their opponents early and play with what Dave Hughes refers to as ‘Swagger-Jagger’. The team lined up; Will in goal, John ‘the best right-back in the club!’ Collings, Clean-Sheet-Cooky/Crooky, Chris H. (Captain) and Martyn at the back, Jay, Marcus (Sober this week!), Sheeny and Stu across the middle and Chris ‘Shearer’ Neasham and Ant Johnson up top. An impenetrable back 5 combined with a hard working and skilful midfield and a front 2 that have 15 goals between them; the crowd demanded a rout! The bench consisted Dan Anderton, ‘The Chairman’ Morris, Gaz Cowell, Liam Heppolette and Damon Jordan.
The game started, and Bolts (perhaps feeling the weight of expectation from a boisterous crowd or just conscious of being the better side) ambled through the first half an hour or so. Tyldesley looked unlikely to threaten the vigilant Will, but bolts where struggling to make use of good possession. The most note worthy event of the first 30 mins being Neash coming off with a hamstring injury after 20 mins to be replaced by Damo. Although still in 3rd gear Bolts eventually turned their superiority into a chance, Stu firing a cross for ever alert Ant to clip past their flailing keeper only to see the ball strike the foot of the post and rebound. Damo was on hand to fire the ball back goalwards, only for the keeper to fumble the ball in front of Ant who pounced to open to scoring 1-0 Bolts. This was just the tonic Bolts needed and the football started to flow. Passes were starting to find feet and Stu and Jay were finding space down the wings. Soon Stu was released down the left, he beat his full back, cut inside on his right and put in a pin-point cross for Damo to head home from 6 yards! 2-0 Bolts half time.
The half time talk was about increasing the performance level further. If we worked hard for the first 10-15 mins, grab a couple more goals Tyldesley’s head would drop.
The second half started much the same as the first, Bolts in complete control of the game, not allowing the opposition out of their half, but lacking the urgency to turn their clear dominance into chances. Changes were made to freshen things up in attack; Ant making way for Liam and Jay giving Gaz Cowell a run. Still Bolts had the opposition pinned back, but were struggling to create meaningful chances. With Tyldesley stuck in their own half, and nowhere to go, their centre half (under pressure from Liam) passed back to the keeper, who missed his kick (see Paul Robinson vs. Croatia, 2006) and ball ran into the unguarded net. As in the first half, this break through seemed to spur Bolts on and chances were created, their keeper making up for his previous error with a point-blank save from Gaz and Sheeny chipping wide when through one on one in the dying seconds. The game finished 3-0!
A few mentions from the performance. The back 5 of Will, JC, Chris, Cooky and Martyn were outstanding, had were played for another 90 minutes I doubt anything would have got through. Jay and Stu worked tirelessly on either wing supporting their full backs at one end and creating chances at the other. Man of the match was Sheeny, whose work rate and desire again were exemplary; constantly breaking up the opponent’s attacks and driving the team forward.
Finally a huge thank-you to all the subs, but especially Dan and Rich who turned up and benched but didn’t get a run-out. It shows the strength in depth and commitment to the cause that, during a critical part of the season the ‘B’ can name a 16 man squad that includes players of that caliber that do not get a game. If you’re only as strong as your weakest link, I firmly believe that is why we are top of the league.
The ‘B Team’ play Thornleigh next week (away) who are second in the table; three points behind us. All support is welcome and greatly appreciated for this top of the table clash!
Mitch.